Thursday, April 30, 2015

Blog Tour: Fracture by Amanda K. Byrne

As my days have become busier, I've discovered that I'm committing to an increasing number of book tours - possibly because I know this is a way to guarantee I'll take time to read books?

Whatever the reason, I am *beyond thrilled* that I signed up to host Fracture by Amanda K. Byrne. This is a book I wouldn't normally grab these days - the cover looks intense and the blurb was equally so. Still, something about it called to me. And thank goodness! You guys are going to love this one. Check it out.

The Book

Every nightmare has an end.

There’s no way Nora can ignore the beating. Same heavy boots. Same curses, same pained groans. But that was two years ago, and this a different man, a different part of war-ravaged Sarajevo. This is her second chance. She has to try.

And then she’s stuck with him, nursing him, putting up with him. Declan’s an ass. He’s rude and tactless. He’s arrogant. Dismissive.

Charming. Intense. Caring when she needs it most – and least expects it. He tears away the numbing fog that’s been her constant companion and offers her a way out and a way home.

And it damn near destroys her.

Nora’s survived two years in a war zone. Can Declan show her how to live?

Oh guys. Guys, this one is... beautiful. Nora's this gorgeous mix of fragility and strength.She's been broken--fractured, if you will--by her experiences in Sarajevo, by continuing to live in the warzone, by being trapped there for reasons beyond her control. She's had to rise to the occasion, finding the strength to survive by keeping her head down, by fading away so she can move about unnoticed, but also so that she can move around with noticing.Declan jolts her out of this state of half-being. He's a strong man stuck in a situation that's left him in a position of weakness. He's everything the blurb promises - blunt, utterly tactless, arrogant and rude, but also charming and comforting. He sugarcoats nothing. These two need each other for survival - physical and emotional. And, honestly guys, this could be my favorite contemporary romance of 2015. The story is intense - not only because of the circumstances, but because of the connection between Nora and Declan. When I started to read it, I worried it would be too much, that it would be so tense that I would find it a stressful read, but not to fear! The balance is so good. Even as the story adds additional layers of stress and danger, Byrne found moments to give readers breathing space, to find that level of comfort, before ratcheting things back up.The whole book is gorgeous. It made me smile and cry and smile some more. It's breathtaking.

The Bottom Line:Read Fracture. Read it, folks. It's the perfect break from lighter romance reads, a romance that dives right into the deep end, that really makes you think about the circumstances in which the relationship is forged, the reality of living in those circumstances and how life goes on regardless.I loved this book. Grab it, read it, come back and tell me how much you loved it too!

About the Author

When she’s not plotting ways to sneak her latest shoe purchase past her partner, Amanda writes sexy, snarky romance and urban fantasy. She likes her heroines smart and unafraid to make mistakes, and her heroes strong enough to take them on.

If she’s not writing, she’s reading, drinking hot chocolate, and trying not to destroy her house with her newest DIY project. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, and no, it really doesn’t rain that much.